St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-12-10
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
copyrighted, ISL

at Pfaff's the favorite Bohemian resort, on
Broadway, near Blocker street. Walt Whit
man was full of patriotism" and Arnold
was all for the South. A violent discussion
took place; words grew hotter and hotter
Whitman warned Arnold to be more guarded
in his secession sentiments. The latter became
more violent in his remarks. Finally Whit
man struck at Arnold right from the shout
der, who let the poet have bottle of claret
over his head. Pfatf made jump and gave
a wild yell: ooh! mine Cots, mems, what
you do for dis?" A general row followed and
much coffee, beer and claret was spilled be-
fore the affair was amicably settled, and the
two poets shook hands, astonished at their
own folly. In those days, Walt Whitman
dressed like a brigand and often acted like
cowboy. His big shirt collar never knew
starch. A black cravat, tied sailor-fashion,
fell loosely under his collar. He wore
close-ftting jacket, and large black SLOUGH
hat with an immense brim.
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett who was
at one time the leading serial writer for the
Century, has not contributed story to that
magazine for more than five years. Several
explanations have been given of the cause of
her long silence in the periodical which first
brought her into prominence by publishing
''That Lass O Lowrie's." One was that she
had decided not to write any more for the
periodical press that style of publication
being beneath the dignity of a writer of her
established reputation. Unfortunately for
this view of the case, Mrs. Burnett has writ
ten within the last two years two stories for
serial publication-'M Ado" and Little
Lord Fauntleroy." Mrs. Burnett must indeed
have keenly felt the unwarranted liberty
taken with her story, for she deliberately
sacrificed very handsome income which
she made from contributions to the Century,
George Eliot maintained a selfrespecting
privacy during her life, which has not been
respected since her death. She never allowed
herself to be interviewed; she refused to be
photographed. What was said of Madame
de Stael that she was "consolingly ugly"
applied even more truthfully to George Eliot,
who was morbidly sensitive about her
homely appearance. She rarely spoke of her
works and never of herself. She was
most fascinating talker when in the COM
pany Of those she loved, but she did not
show off in general society.
Rhoda Broughton is thirty-nine years old.
Her features are very attractive, and she has
an intellectual expression. She is about the
middle height, and has a very beautiful
figure. Her rapidity in novel writing was
at one time regarded as remarkable but in
this respect she has recently been eclipsed by
Charlotte NJ. Braehme and the Duchess"
each of whom can run off novel every week
without taxing their minds one bit. Miss
Broughton, although she has written many
love stories, still lives a maiden, meditation
fancy free.
Gustave Dore, the famous painter, was a
man of medium size but with frame of an
athlete and the head ofa poet. Although he
was very rich he was one of the worst-dressed
men in Paris. He was so devoted to his art
that even in society, when not mapping or
fddling, he was making sketches. He was
true Frenchman, and although decorated
with more foreign orders than any of his con-
temporaries, no triumph abroad gave him
half the pleasure as the smallest success won
at Paris.
Mathew Arnold, the boosted "apostle of |
culture" does not pay much attention to the
cultivation of an attractive personal appear
ance. His badly fitting clothes do not show
lures to advantage. His manners are cold and |
distant, and the expression of his face is that /
of a cynical and disappointed man of the |
world. This is his outside appearance,
for he is really a man of warm and gener-
GUS nature.
Charles F. Gunther, of Chicago, has one of |
the largest collection of autographs in the |
United States. Among his treasures are the |
early Shakespeare with the reputed autograph |
of the immortal bard; the address of Chief |
Justice Chase at the Tobacco Exchange in |
Richmond, Va, May 20, 1869, written and |
corrected by the chief justice; letter of |
Edgar A. Poe; autographs poems of Keats,
Louise NJ. Alcott, etc.
George w. ChiIds has the most wonderful
collection of clocks in the world. The gem
of the collection is the famous Rittenhouse
clock, which was made in 1867 by David |
Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, and sold for
$780, When General Grant returned from his
tour of the world he presented Mr.. Childs
with large hall clock, which the owner
prizes very highly on account of his friend
ship for the donor.
Miss Kate Field, SO far from regretting her
own want of personal beauty, has sublime |
contempt for a woman whose only charm is
o very pretty face. Miss Field is neither SO
ugly nor SO gifted as Madame de Stael.
Although several distinguished women have
been ugly, all beautiful women are not def
Gent in mental charm, Madame Recamier
and Madame Bonaparte, for instance.
Mrs Rosa Vertner Jeffrey, the Kentucky
poetess, is one of the most fascinating women
of the famous Blue Grass country. Her
home is in Lexington, the garden spot of the
State Poetry has been for her the elegant
amusement of her leisure hours-the few
hours which the cares of a large family and
the duties of society allow her to devote to
literary pursuits.
Herman Melville who more than forty
years ago charmed all lovers of the wild and
picturesque in writing, is still living in New
York, although he has not written anything
for thirty years. His hair is now white as
snow, but his eyes are still as bright as when
he wrote 'Typee, "Omoo," White Jacket
and other romances Of the South sea.
STYIus |